IMPASSIVE Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'impassive' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of impassive are apathetic , phlegmatic , stoic , and stolid . While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression. // met the news with an impassive look

Q: When is 'apathetic' a more appropriate choice than 'impassive'?

The synonyms apathetic and impassive are sometimes interchangeable, but apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness. // charitable appeals met an apathetic response

Q: When is it sensible to use 'phlegmatic' instead of 'impassive'?

Although the words phlegmatic and impassive have much in common, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse. // a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

Q: Where would 'stoic' be a reasonable alternative to 'impassive'?

The words stoic and impassive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stoic implies an apparent indifference to pleasure or especially to pain often as a matter of principle or self-discipline. // was resolutely stoic even in adversity

Q: When could 'stolid' be used to replace 'impassive'?

The words stolid and impassive can be used in similar contexts, but stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity. // stolid workers wedded to routine

impassive

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpa-siv

Definition of impassive

as in stoic

not feeling or showing emotion she remained impassive as the officers informed her of her son's death

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in blank

not expressing any emotion an impassive expression on the prisoner's face as his sentence was read

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impassive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of impassive are apathetic, phlegmatic, stoic, and stolid. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When is apathetic a more appropriate choice than impassive?

The synonyms apathetic and impassive are sometimes interchangeable, but apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When is it sensible to use phlegmatic instead of impassive?

Although the words phlegmatic and impassive have much in common, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

Where would stoic be a reasonable alternative to impassive?

The words stoic and impassive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stoic implies an apparent indifference to pleasure or especially to pain often as a matter of principle or self-discipline.

was resolutely stoic even in adversity

When could stolid be used to replace impassive?

The words stolid and impassive can be used in similar contexts, but stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of impassive Riles’s face is impassive, focused, as the announcer reads out the winner. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026 Unlike the coolly impassive Pop artists, the Who weren’t afraid to get personal, or to let their art echo the anxious, kinky, maladjusted yammering in their own heads. — Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026 Her face remained impassive even as tears formed and began to travel down her cheek. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026 Bakri’s face is impassive and exhausted during this casual debasement, his voice low, and his tone deadpan, as though Salim has been forced to do all this a million times before. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impassive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impassive

Adjective

Terrence split almost immediately, and Julianne deposited her small son on the Missouri farm of her Uncle Claude, a stoic, kindly old man.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Aaron is maybe a little more stoic than his character is written, which then allowed Gabe [to have] this kinetic, golden retriever energy.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of stoic

Adjective

More than 17 of the 26 pages provided were either blank or completely redacted, with large black boxes covering entire messages rather than specific pieces of sensitive information.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Eligible military and overseas voters can receive blank ballots by mail, email or fax.

— Sergio Candido, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of blank

Adjective

The 47-year-old, wearing a blue suit and blue tie, was expressionless as the charges against him were described.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 May 2026
The routine calls for this chic, almost expressionless vibe — very different from a typical K-pop performance.

— Billboard Korea, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2025

Definition of expressionless

Adjective

In comments shared on social media, many claimed her face appeared frozen and motionless, her expressions nonexistent.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
The Griffith Park merry-go-round, which turned 100 this year, stands motionless, many of its 66 wooden horses weathered and caught mid-ascent.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of motionless

Adjective

Swamped by allegations of fraud, the actions of the company and its enigmatic CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, shone a harsh light on problems with scientific start-ups.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
That's especially prevalent in the Oversized Graphic T-Shirt with enigmatic dates on the back -- those are already causing a stir in the fan community.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of enigmatic

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“Impassive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impassive. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impassive

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